Los Angeles, California - May 4th 2012

Southern California-based School on Wheels announced today that it has been selected as one of 500 nonprofit finalists in Toyota's 100 Cars for Good program, a major philanthropic initiative in which the automaker is giving 100 cars to 100 Non Profits over the course of 100 days. School on Wheels was selected as a finalist from more than 4,000 applications nationwide.

 

Each day, beginning May 14, 2012, 100 Cars for Good will profile five finalists at www.100carsforgood.com.   Individual members of the public will be able to vote for which nonprofit they think can do the most good with a new vehicle. The nonprofit with the most votes at the end of each day will win one of six Toyota models.  Runners-up will each receive a $1,000 cash grant from Toyota.

 

School on Wheels' Day Is June 1st, 

 

 "Everyone at School on Wheels is thrilled to have been selected as a finalist for the 2012 100 Cars for Good program," said Catherine Meek, Executive Director.  "We're grateful for this incredible opportunity to showcase the work we do and hopefully win a car to help us increase our impact in Southern California. We hope everyone will help us spread the word and, of course, will make time to visit www.100carsforgood.com on June 1st to vote for us. A new vehicle would really be a game changer for our ability to provide outreach and deliver backpacks and school supplies to students living in shelters, motels, cars and on the street."

 

"At Toyota, we appreciate what a significant impact a new car can have for nonprofits nationwide," noted Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.  "Toyota has donated more than half a billion dollars to nonprofits across the U.S. over the past 20 years, and 100 Cars for Good allows us to expand that commitment to local communities in important new ways. The 500 finalists are an extraordinary group and we look forward to the public learning more about them."

 

100 Cars for Good is the first initiative to directly engage the public to determine how Toyota's philanthropic donations are awarded.  

 

For more information on School on Wheels and its efforts to win one of Toyota's 100 Cars for Good, please visit School on Wheels website at www.schoolonwheels.org   You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter at schoolonwheelsinc.  For complete information on 100 Cars for Good and profiles of all 500 finalists, please visit www.100carsforgood.com.

 

Local residents are encouraged to support School on Wheels and their quest for a new Toyota Highlander. If School on Wheels receives the most votes and is awarded the vehicle, it will be used to distribute thousands of backpacks and school supplies throughout Southern California to homeless students living in shelters, motels, cars and on the street.   

A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services.

 

About School on Wheels

School on Wheels, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1993 by Agnes Stevens, a retired teacher. After reading Jonathan Kozol's Rachel and her Children, Agnes realized the extent of homelessness in the USA. She began tutoring homeless kids in a park in Santa Monica, encouraging them to stay in school and participate in school activities.  

Today, hundreds of volunteers work one-on-one with children whose homelessness prevents them from getting the academic stability and help they desperately need. The heart of the School on Wheels' programs is the volunteer tutors who come from all backgrounds and professions, with a shared goal - to reach out to a child, to teach, to mentor, and assist in their educational life.

The mission of School on Wheels is to enhance educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Our goal is to shrink the gaps in their education and provide them with the highest level of education possible. Our program serves as a consistent support system to homeless students at a time of great stress and fear. We bring the message to our students that they are cared about and important. We do this by offering:

• One-on-one weekly tutoring with a volunteer
• Backpacks, school supplies and school uniforms
• A toll-free number for kids to keep in touch with us
  (800-923-1100)
• Assistance in entering school
• Help in locating lost records
• Guidance for parents in educational matters for their children
• Two Learning Centers, one located in the heart of Skid Row and the other in South Los Angeles
• Tutoring in ten major regions in Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

 

 

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants in eight states. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design facilities. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from U.S. suppliers totals more than $23 billion.

 

Toyota is deeply committed to being a great community partner and is focused on supporting programs in ways that achieve long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, with a particular concentration on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs across the U.S.

 

For more information on Toyota, please visit www.toyota.com.

 

About Toyota Financial Services (TFS)

TFS is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota and Lexus in the U.S., offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and Toyota Lease Trust and extended service contracts and other payment protection products through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). TFS employs 3,300 associates nationwide, and has managed assets totaling more than $91 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.

 

Media Contact:                                                                           

Sinead Chilton
School on Wheels, Inc.

(805) 641-1678

schilton@schoolonwheels.org